The Chettinadu Trail

During the entire cycling tour, there will be a car accompanying you, carrying your luggage and offering water and fruits. In case of need, you may jump into the car during any point of cycling.

Chennai
700km approx.
17 days
Easy – Medium
Cochin

Arrival : Chennai

No. of Days : 17

Cycling Distance : 700km approximately

Difficulty: Easy – Medium

Departure: Cochin

Climate: Tropical. Day temperature 30 – 32; night: above 20 degrees.During the main tourist season from September to April there are almost no rain showers.

Tour Dates :

2016 : 17.09.2016- 03.10.2016

2017 : 04.02.2017-20.02.2017, 16.09.2017-02.10.2017

2018 : 03.02.2018 – 19.02.2018, 31.08.2018- 16.09.2018

Include

Water, snacks, light food during cycling

Tour Guidance By Cyclesouthindia

Accompanying car

Cycle

Accommodation

Breakfast

Not Included

Departure Taxes

Entry Fees

Personal Guide

Airport Transfers

1

Day 1 : Chennai

Arrival in Chennai in the afternoon. Evening walk in the town. Stay in city hotel

2

Day 2 Chennai : Mamallapuram

Another walk through the awakening town. After breakfast transfer to the Beach Hotel in Mamallapuram. In the afternoon we will collect our cycles and we immediately start for a short familiarization tour to the North. Stop at a crocodile farm and further point of interest.

Distance: 30 km

Incline: < 100m

Difficulty: Easy

3

Day 3 : Mamallapuraum

After breakfast we will have a relaxed cycle ride to all the heritage sites of the town, such as the Sea Shore temple, the 5 mandapas and others. Later you will be free to relax at the beach.

Distance: 30 km

Incline: < 100m

Difficulty: Easy

4

Day 4 : Mamallapuram – Pondicherry

We start at sunrise for a quite long cycling day. At the salt lagoon at Marakkanam after 65 km, we stop for a visit and will decide whether to continue to cycle or accept our offer for a transfer to Pondicherry There we will stay for two nights in a classical Boutique hotel (Ajanta Sea View Hotel or similar)

Distance: 65/100 km

Incline: 250m

Difficulty: Medium

5

Day 5 : Pondicherry

You are free to enjoy the colonial atmosphere in the town. Additionally we offer a half day cycling trip to Auroville.

Distance: 25 km

Incline: < 100m

Difficulty: Easy

6

Day 6 : Pondicherry – Chidambaram

Early morning start. On the way we will stop at melon fields or other seasonal crops.In the afternoon we visit the magnificent Nataraja temple, a highlight of Dravidian architecture and one of the holiest Hindu shrines in southern India. Stay at Hotel Akshaya or similar.

Distance: 70 km

Incline: 200m

Difficulty: Easy

7

Day 7 : Chidambaram – Kumbakonam

18 temples with numerous gopurams give evidence to the former power and importance of the town Kumbakonam at the entrance to the Kaveri delta (Chola Nadu), which is the agricultural centre of Tamil Nadu. We visit the most important of the temples, the Sarangapani temple which gives shelter to 37 cows

Hotel: Sitthi Residency or similar

Distance: 75 km

Incline: 200m

Difficulty: Easy

8

Day 8 : Kumbakonam – Thanjavore

Here, in the former capital of the Chola empire we visit more historical sites, such as Brihadishwara temple, the Emperor’s palace and the fortress.

Distance: 42 km

Incline: <100m

Difficulty: Easy

9

Day 9 : Thanjavore

A chance to visit the temple and fortress again in the morning light, to learn about past times in the town’s museum, to take advantage of the vast shopping opportunities or to relax in our garden.

10

Day 10 : Thanjavore – Chettinadu

Rural Tamil Nadu life. Crops of cashew or ground nuts, groups of colourfully- dressed women in the fields – there are plenty of photo opportunities during today’s stage including the funny oxcarts, reminders of a past time, but still a very effective and cheap means of transport here. We encourage you to try your hand at driving them here.

Hotel Chettinadu Court

Distance: 100 km

Incline: 250m

Difficulty: Medium

11

Day 11: Chettinadu

Chettinadu Mansion, which tells us a lot about the wealth and splendour of the Chettiyars, who created their own cuisine too. Hand made Tile manufacturing Factory visit, tiles manufactured and used over the years since the time of kings.

Distance: 45 km

Incline: 100m

Difficulty: Easy

12

Day 12 : Chettinadu – Madurai

Today we will finish our cycling through rural Tamil Nadu at Mellure to avoid the heavy traffic close to the town. and you will be transferred to Hotel Royal Court, where we will spend the following two nights. From here we start our exploring tours to the heart of Madurai, the Sri Meenakshi Temple and the market area nearby.
Hotel Royal Court

Hotel Royal Court

Distance: 65 km

Incline: 150m

Difficulty: Easy

13

Day 13 : Madurai

Enjoy this day off for recovering and/or further exploring temples and markets. Don’t miss shopping for silk, sandalwood and other items here.

14

Day 14 : Madurai – Kumily

After an early breakfast you will be transferred to Theni. Having cycled hundreds of kilometers in flat areas now you can enjoy a short but steep climb up to Kumily. There we stay in a spice plantation, where the owner himself will introduce us into the world of spices and tropical fruits. If you wish, you may buy tea and spices here.

Distance: 25 km

Incline: 450m

Difficulty: Medium

15

Day 15 : Kumily – Kanjirappalli – Aleppey

The day begins with another climb through tea plantations followed by a marvelous 20 km long downhill section. Don’t rush but use the many magnificent views for some stops and photographs. Down in the plains we face undulated roads through rubber plantations. After lunch and refreshment we transfer you into a different world to Alleppey Backwaters.

Lakeside Hotel Kadavil Lake Shore Resort or Similar

Distance: 70 km

Incline: 580m

Difficulty: medium

16

Day 16 : Alleppey Backwaters

The day will recharge you as you stay in a little bit of paradise. Use the different opportunities to relax, to enjoy the healthy Keralan cuisine and to learn about life in the backwaters. Feel free to attend classes in traditional Keralan cooking offered by Lisa, watch Josey while fishing or try it yourself, use the day for another swim in the sea or a last shopping opportunity in Alleppey town.